Jasmine Petross

Age: Adult
Association: Survivor
Region: N/A
Cancer: Colon

"I didn’t care what the medical report said because I knew God was in control."

I was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer at the age of 23. I went through multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation and had an ileostomy bag for almost a year on my stomach. I also had a section of my colon removed. I had one ovary taken out and one moved up. There’s a chance I won’t be able to have kids naturally which is why I decided to freeze my eggs. After my cancer was taken out I faced a deadly infection called C-Diff. I lost 30 pounds and felt like I was on my deathbed. I was in and out of the hospital but I continued to pray and remain positive.

I am now 26 and I’m cancer free and counting my blessings. I get checked every five to six months now. I get colonoscopies on a regular basis as well. I still go to the bathroom 10 to 20 times a day. The doctors said my body will never be the same. Previews of menopause come and go. I have my good and bad days, but I just take it day by day. I’m here so I’ll take that. I want to thank God, my family, friends, doctors, nurses and treatment team. This impacted my life a lot because some people would talk to me until they found out I had a bag on my stomach. I used a handicap sign one day and got cussed out because I didn’t look like what I was going through, the list continues. I am now in the process of putting this down on paper to write a book. I’m here to help and answer any questions to help people though this awful disease. God’s plan is better than what I had planned for myself. I didn’t care what the medical report said because I knew God was in control.